Charlotte, N.C. – Global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation of America maintains an active presence in the flexographic industry when it comes to educating and training current and future printing professionals. Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper, recently presented at an NPIRI Summer Course held at The Sonoco Institute at Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina from July 15-20, 2018.

The course brought together around 50 attendees who work as ink formulators and ink development professionals and were interested in learning the press processes and elements that interact with ink. The course covered the full spectrum of flexo and gravure printing, lamination, and converting processes including observation of flexo and digital press runs, flexo plate making and mounting, substrates for surface and reverse printing and lamination, proofing and printability demonstrations, and anilox discussion and application.

Donato led the anilox discussion and application portion covering the purpose of anilox, what is necessary for anilox printing, and how to choose the appropriate anilox. He provided insight into the basics of the mechanical dimensional requirements including roundness, taper and T.I.R., cell count (CPI) and volume (BCM), as well as the ratios of anilox cells to plate dots. Furthermore, attendees learned about the ratio between pigment size and cell opening for pearlescents and metallics.

A major focus of discussion was also explaining why BCM controls color and why cell count is tied to the plate screen. Donato also emphasized the importance of proper anilox handling, cleaning, and storage.

Donato was thrilled to be a part of this course for the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers and have the opportunity to interact and engage with so many attendees regarding the role of anilox in the printing process.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Siancas at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or [email protected].